Volkswagen works driver Robby Gordon retakes overall lead: The Californian celebrated his second stage victory of the Dakar Rally on the third special stage in Morocco. As a result, Gordon retook the overall lead of the world’s toughest desert rally in the Race-Touareg one day after his 36th birthday. The US-American ‘Dakar’ novice had already led the rally during the first two stages on 31st December and 1st January. His team colleagues completed Volkswagen’s excellent result, with all four cars finishing in the day’s top six: With his third quickest stage time, Bruno Saby improved two positions to third overall. Also, Jutta Kleinschmidt climbed four places up the leader board with the day’s fifth fastest time. Juha Kankkunen managed the biggest jump up the field: The Finn leaped to seventh overall from 13th in the Dakar Rally after setting the sixth best time on Monday.

Since the Race-Touareg debut one year ago, Volkswagen has collected a total of nine stage victories in five competitive outings with the diesel four-wheel drive prototype.

 

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)

"I wish to congratulate our drivers and co-drivers. I’m extremely satisfied with the excellent team performance. It is a great way to start the rally on the African continent.”

 

Standings after stage 4, Rabat (MA) – Agadir (MA); 123/666 km stage/total

 

Pos., Team, Vehicle, SS 3, Total time

1. Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 1:14.01 hrs. (1.), 1:26.24 hrs.

2. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 1:14.54 hrs. (2.) + 59,0 sec.

3. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 1:15.09 hrs. (3.) + 1.14 min.

4. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 1:15.25 hrs. (4.) + 1.32 min.

5. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 1:16.11 hrs. (5.) + 2.32 min.

6. Giniel de Villiers/Jean-Marie Lurquin (ZA/B), Nissan Pick-up, 1:16.59 hrs. (8.) + 2.59 min.

7. Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo (FIN/FIN), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 1:16.41 hrs. (6.) + 3.21 min.

8. Grégoire de Mevius/Jacky Dubois (B/F), Nissan Pick-up, 1:16.50 hrs. (7.) + 3.28 min.

9. Ari Vatanen/Tiziano Siviero (FIN/I), Nissan Pick-up, 1:17.32 hrs. (9.) + 3.38 min.

10. Colin McRae/Tina Thörner (GB/S), Nissan Pick-up, 1:17.48 hrs. (11.) + 3.46 min.